Daily Life Experiences: Challenges, Strategies, and Implications for Therapy in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Abstract

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition of orthostatic intolerance which often leads to significant functional deficits. This study explores narrative responses from a large cohort (n = 958) of individuals with POTS in describing daily life challenges and the use of strategies to manage these difficulties. Data was coded and emergent themes provided insight into daily life experiences including successful interventions and a wealth of gaps in treatment that remain unaddressed. This led to the development of clinical recommendations for occupational therapy treatment of individuals with POTS. Further research is indicated including clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of occupational therapy intervention.

Keywords:

• POTS
• postural tachycardia syndrome
• occupational therapy
• function
• rehabilitation
• participation

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dysautonomia International for their assistance in recruitment of participants for this study and all the individuals with POTS who generously shared their experiences. We would also like to thank Nicole Huddleston from the TWU center for research design and analysis for her mentorship and assistance with the analysis process.

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Funding

No funding sources.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emily M. Rich

Emily M. Rich is a Ph.D. student at Texas Woman’s University in the School of Occupational Therapy and a practicing occupational therapist at Tucson Medical Center. Asha Vas is an Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University. Valerie Boyette and Carol Hollingsworth are students in the Texas Woman’s University Master of Occupational Therapy program.

Asha Vas

Emily M. Rich is a Ph.D. student at Texas Woman’s University in the School of Occupational Therapy and a practicing occupational therapist at Tucson Medical Center. Asha Vas is an Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University. Valerie Boyette and Carol Hollingsworth are students in the Texas Woman’s University Master of Occupational Therapy program.

Valerie Boyette

Emily M. Rich is a Ph.D. student at Texas Woman’s University in the School of Occupational Therapy and a practicing occupational therapist at Tucson Medical Center. Asha Vas is an Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University. Valerie Boyette and Carol Hollingsworth are students in the Texas Woman’s University Master of Occupational Therapy program.

Carol Hollingsworth

Emily M. Rich is a Ph.D. student at Texas Woman’s University in the School of Occupational Therapy and a practicing occupational therapist at Tucson Medical Center. Asha Vas is an Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University. Valerie Boyette and Carol Hollingsworth are students in the Texas Woman’s University Master of Occupational Therapy program.